This week’s Inside Track reflects the huge variety of remarkable travel experiences which when put together deliver some truly outstanding, customised UK tours. It includes a Mary Queen of Scots tour of Scotland and cheese rolling, shin kicking and palette-tingling edible and drinkable experiences in the Cotswolds.  I’ve included an update on Portsmouth’s plans for the 75^th anniversary of D Day and Alice’s Day in Oxford.

My final story confirms that the same amount of creativity goes into tailoring FIT and small group tours using the great northern gateway of Manchester.

Every two weeks, I also write a Window on Britain article for Travel Research Online and a quick speed read of last Friday’s article will reveal several new ideas for tours that can be offered to anglophile customers, flying or cruising in and out of Britain.

From your point of view, the really good news is that I have the knowledge, experience and connections to design and deliver what you’re looking for.  I’m ready to be put through my paces!

Mary Queen of Scots

Nominated for 3 BAFTA awards, the brand-new film provides a very good framework for an imaginatively themed, customised tour of Scotland.  It includes visits to locations used in the filming, a visit to her birthplace at Linlithgow, Stirling Castle where she was crowned Queen of Scots, Inchmahome Priory, a place of refuge and other places associated with this ill-starred Queen.

Cotswolds Curiosities

If this lovely corner of England is on your radar, last week’s Britain Insider column highlights a fascinating week at the end of May when you can experience a traditional cheese rolling event (dates back to the early 1800s) the annual Tetbury Woolsack Races, a long-standing traditional display of strength, finishing with the Olimpick Games, first staged in Chipping Campden in 1612.

Tastes, Flavours and Essences

This interesting tour offers a different twist on a 4-night Cotswolds-based itinerary as it brings together a fascinating palette-tingling collection of edible and drinkable experiences, a close encounter with the Herb Society and The Parade of Puddings.  Enriched further with visits to stately homes and gardens, this is another reason why the Cotswolds should be your go-to UK destination.

D Day 75th Anniversary

75 years ago, the forces of 13 Allied countries gathered in Britain before launching the historic D Day operation to liberate Europe.  Portsmouth, the embarkation point for much of the 1944 landing force, will be the focal point of the UK commemorations on 5^th June.  It will include a military parade, military band performances, readings by VIPs and a flypast featuring period aircraft.

Alice's Day for Families

In addition to a River Thames speed boat ride and a flight on the London Eye, let’s talk about a tour timed to include Alice’s Day in Oxford on 6^th July 2019.  Also included, close encounters with Paddington Bear, Harry Potter, C S Lewis, J R R Tolkien and Roald Dahl and a performance of the hit musical Mathilda.  Ask me for details.

Gateway Manchester

Airside, kerbside in less than 40 minutes.  That’s what your customers can expect when they take advantage of the growing number of non-stop flights to the northern gateway of Manchester.  This link reveals value added, tailor made programmes for independent travellers and groups wanting fast access to England’s North Country, Scotland, North Wales and southwards to the Heart of England.